Clark McLain (1863-1931)

MCLAIN

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/18/2021 at 18:38:37

From Nevada Evening Journal December 9, 1931 (page 3)

M'LAIN FUNERAL THIS AFTERNOON

FORMER NEVADA MAN PROMNENT FIGURE IN PASADENA AFFAIRS

Funeral services for Clark McLain, 68, former Nevada and Story county man, who died at his home at Pasadena, Calif., Sunday evening at 6:45, were held this afternoon at 2:00, at a funeral chapel on Orange Grove avenue, near Los Robles, according to word received from there today.

The son Frank E. McLain Jr., of Nevada who left here Monday evening arrived in Los Angeles last evening by airplane, 12 hours after having boarded the plane at a Kansas City airport.

The follow sketch of the life and activities of Mr. McLain is from the Daily Star-News of Pasadena, under date of Monday:

"Passing of Clark McLain, Pasadena postmaster from 1914 to 1922 and for many years prominent in banking circles here and in his native state of Iowa, today was mourned by a host of friends. Mr. McLain died at 6:45 o'clock last night at the family home, 525 North Raymond avenue, following an illness of several years. He was 68 years of age.

"Born on a farm near Nevada, Ia., July 17, 1863, Mr. McLain had been a farmer, school teacher and principal and banker before moving to Pasadena with his family in 1905. Two years after coming here, he and W. M. Eason started the State Bank of North Pasadena, of which he was cashier until he was appointed postmaster by President Wilson in 1914.

"This was not his first banking experience; he had been organizer and president of the State Bank of Maxwell, Iowa, which post he held until he moved to California in 1903. He originally located in San Antonio Heights, near Upland, but moved to Pasadena two years later.

Lifelong Democrat

"A life-long and ardent Democrat Mr. McLain held to his original political faith after locating in Pasadena. When his party rewarded him with the postmastership in 1914, Mr. McLain accepted the office both as an honor and as a duty; his administration was marked by progress and expansion. He was in charge of the removal in 1915 of the post office from North Raymond to the present building at Colorado and Garfield.

"Mr. McLain's passing is deeply mourned by hundreds of Pasadenans, particularly postal employees who loved and respected him for his kindliness and fair dealing; citizens with whom he worked for the civic and business growth of Pasadena pay tribute to his character and rare ability.

Tribute is Paid

"Postmaster W. F. Knight, who succeeded Mr. McLain, and Frank M. Robinson, assisted postmaster, who served as superintendent of mails under the former postmaster, joined the scores of Pasadenans in paying tribute today.

"The passing of Clark McLain," said Postmaster Knight, "removes from our midst a man who, in his active days, had a leading part in Pasadena affairs and in the upbuilding of our city. His moderation, kindly disposition and cheery manner, radiated friendliness wherever he went. He was held in high esteem by all those who had the privilege of knowing him. Pasadena has lost a good and true citizen."

"After Mr. McLain had ben succeeded as postmaster, he became vice-president of the State Bank of Pasadena, and manager of the Lake avenue branch. This post he held until 1924 when the bank was sold to the Pasadena National.

"Although intensely loyal to the state of his adoption, Mr. McLain ever kept his love for the state of his birth. He made frequent trips to Iowa, entertained many visitors from that state in his home here and maintained extensive farming and other business interests in the vicinity of Nevada, Iowa.

Services Wednesday

"Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Belle F. McLain; two sons, Fred F. McLain, of South Pasadena, comptroller of Occidental College; and Frank E. McLain, of Nevada, Iowa, and two daughters, Dorothy and Isabel."